The main objective of this research component from the CPAT Research Program is to examine the relation between common metabolic markers (BMI, WHR, CHO), cardiovascular risk factors (cholesterol, Framingham Heart Study (FHS) CVD risk) and Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels in ambulatory adults with cerebral palsy (CP).
Adults with CP are at higher risk of CVD and metabolic syndrome compared to the general population, which is probably because of impaired mobility.
1. Heyn, P.C., Tagawa, A., Pan, Z., Thomas, S. and Carollo, J.J. (2019), Prevalence of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease risk factors in adults with cerebral palsy. Dev Med Child Neurol, 61: 477-483. https://doi.org/10.1111/dmcn.14148
2. Heyn, Patricia, Robertson, David, Pan, Zhaoxing, Carollo, James (2016).. The Relation Between Common Metabolic Markers and Functional Level in Adults with Cerebral Palsy from the CPAT Study. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Volume 97, Issue 10, e124. https://www.archives-pmr.org/article/S0003-9993(16)30820-6/fulltext#relatedArticles
3. Carollo, James, Robertson, David, Heyn, Patricia C. (2015) Cerebral Palsy Adult Transition Study (CPAT): Early Results from the Prospective Health Screening Cohort. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Volume 96, Issue 10, e78. https://www.archives-pmr.org/article/S0003-9993(15)00918-1/fulltext
4. Noten S, van den Berg-Emons RJG, Thorpe DE, Heyn PC, Marciniak CM, McPhee PG, Lamberts RP, Langerak NG, Verschuren O, Salokivi T, Morrison KM, Peterson MD, Limsakul C, Stam HJ, Papageorgiou G, Versmissen J, Van Der Slot WMA. Blood pressure in adults with cerebral palsy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of individual participant data. J Hypertens. 2021 Jun 7. doi: 10.1097/HJH.0000000000002912. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 34102658.
The aim of this study is to understand the relationship of walking speed to self-reported pain, fatigue, and physical function in adults with CP. This information better will allow us to better understand the functional capabilities adults with CP, in order to assist with physical activity recommendations and resources to stay actively fit.
Self-reported physical function correlates with objectively measured walking speed in young adults with CP while patient-reported pain and fatigue did not, contrary to what would be predicted by the literature.
The aim of this study is to understand how the damage or injury to the brain observed in individuals impacts inflammatory and brain biomarkers, such as BDNF and inflammatory cytokines. This information will be used to create a model on why adults with CP are at a greater risk for accelerated aging.
Preliminary results indicate that the type of cerebral palsy diagnosis impacts the levels of BDNF.
The aim of this study is to analyze the impact accelerated aging and frailty have on adults with cerebral palsy, as they continue to age. This will allow clinicians to understand the interventions and resources needed by adults with CP to live a healthy lifestyle as they age.
Adults with cerebral palsy are at a greater risk for developing secondary health conditions. Health indicators and biomarkers to indicate health decline, specifically in the CP population are necessary to help maintain a healthy lifestyle for these individuals.
The aim of this study is to investigate the association between childhood surgical interventions with the quality of life, walking ability, and functional status in adults with cerebral palsy. This information will inform clinicians on the interventions they will need to perform for patients with CP during childhood, so that these individuals can maintain a healthy lifestyle in adulthood.
There are positive correlation between type of pediatric surgeries and adulthood function status, which support current orthopedic clinical practice.
The aim of this study is to determine if adults with CP are at a greater risk for developing secondary health conditions and identify key biomarkers that can be used to screen adults with CP to prevent the onset of these secondary health conditions.
Adults with CP have a higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease. Further research is required to identify biomarkers that can be used to help prevent the onset of secondary health conditions that are specific for the CP population.
The aim of this study is to evaluate correlations between longitudinal gait ability and the PROMIS-57 domains (physical, emotional and social function) in young adults with cerebral palsy. If there are correlations between longitudinal gait ability, then prioritizing gait ability during childhood and adulthood could improve the quality of life for all individuals with CP.
There are correlations between longitudinal gait and physical, emotional and social function. As a result, gait maintenance as adults with cerebral palsy continue to age is a important factor to consider.
The aim of this study determines if rate of force development is associated with cognitive function, grip strength, and walking ability. RFD has the potential of being a more robust measure compared to grip strength, but little is known about these associations.
Peak rate of force development is associated with grip strength and cognition and could be a better assessment tool for individuals with cerebral palsy, as peak rate of force development is associated with more cognitive tests compared to grip strength.